You are invited to a Docomomo Scotland talk on Tuesday, 27 February 2018, from 17:30 to 18:30, in which we will explore how Cables Wynd and Linksview Houses, two major examples of Scottish postwar mass housing, in Leith, Edinburgh, received listed-building status and learn about the current redevelopment proposals for Linksview House. Our speakers are Dawn McDowell of Historic Environment Scotlandand Jude Barber and Nicola McLachlan of Collective Architecture.

Part of the 1960s redevelopment of Central Leith, the two housing complexes were designed by the architectural firm Alison & Hutchison & Partners. They are today "among the best of Scotland´s post-war mass urban housing schemes ... characterising the ´New Brutalism´ in building current to the late 1950s and the 1960s, laying bare the essential materials of a building´s construction ... Built within a period of shifting architectural ideologies for social housing, it demonstrates a culmination of contemporary architectural theories". More recently, Cables Wynd House became known to audiences beyond Scotland also as a location in the 2017 film Trainspotting 2.Dawn McDowell will explain why the two neighbouring complexes were legally designated as heritage in early 2017 and give insights into the assessments and consultations leading the listing. For Linksview House, Jude Barber and Nicola McLachlan are currently planning the redevelopment around the building complex. They will present their ideas and explain how the engagement with the local community influences their designing.